Systems and methods for damping a storage system

ABSTRACT

In an embodiment, an apparatus (e.g., for damping a motion of a drawer in a storage system) comprises a plate to pivotally attach to a first wall of a drawer, the plate comprising a pivot point about which the plate can pivot; a damped gear coupled to the plate, the damped gear having a plurality of gear teeth; and a spring to facilitate pivoting the plate about the pivot point to engage at least one of the plurality of gear teeth with at least one tooth on a rack. In some embodiments, the spring is to pivot the plate from a first configuration to an angular position relative the wall in a second configuration, wherein the at least one of the plurality of gear teeth and the at least one tooth on the rack are fully engaged with one another in both the first configuration and the second configuration.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e)to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/043,985, entitled “SYSTEMSAND METHODS FOR DAMPING A STORAGE SYSTEM” filed Aug. 29, 2014, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates in general to the field of motion dampingequipment and, more particularly, to equipment providing damping in astorage system for moving electrical components.

BACKGROUND

Many electrical components (e.g., hard disks, laboratory equipment,etc.) are sensitive to mechanical motions (e.g., vibration,acceleration, deceleration, impact, etc.) and may be damaged by rapidmotion. However, many modern electrical components (e.g., storage disks)include moving parts that can remain operable (e.g., rotating, spinning,oscillating etc.) while the component is subjected to motion. Forexample, when repairing or replacing a storage disk in a server rack,any rapid motion introduced to the disk (or adjacent disks, each ofwhich may be spinning at 10,000 revolutions per minute or more) maypermanently damage the disk and cause loss of critical data. There is aneed for better systems to manage the motion of electrical components,especially those electrical components that contain moving parts thatcan remain operable while the component is subject to one or moremechanical motions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To provide a more complete understanding of the present disclosure andfeatures and advantages thereof, reference is made to the followingdescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, whereinlike reference numerals represent like parts, in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are simplified three-dimensional isometric views of astorage system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are simplified three-dimensional isometric views ofan embodiment of a damping apparatus according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIGS. 2D and 2E are simplified two-dimensional side views of a pinutilized in the embodiment of the damping apparatus of FIGS. 2A, 2B and2C;

FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram of a method of utilizing a dampingapparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are simplified two-dimensional side views of an exampleconfiguration the damping apparatus; and

FIGS. 5A and 5B are simplified two-dimensional side views of anotherexample configuration the damping apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

Overview

In some embodiments, an apparatus for damping the motion of a drawer ina storage system is provided, the apparatus comprises: a plate topivotally attach to a first wall of a drawer, the plate comprising apivot point about which the plate can pivot; a damped gear coupled tothe plate, the damped gear having a plurality of gear teeth; and aspring to facilitate pivoting the plate about the pivot point to engageat least one of the plurality of gear teeth with at least one tooth on arack.

In other embodiments, an apparatus can comprise: a plate to pivotallyattach to a first wall of a drawer, the plate comprising a pivot pointabout which the plate can pivot; a damped gear coupled to the plate, thedamped gear having a plurality of gear teeth; and a spring coupled tothe plate, wherein the spring is to pivot the plate, about the pivotpoint, from a first configuration to an angular position relative thewall in a second configuration, and wherein at least one of theplurality of gear teeth and at least one tooth on a rack are fullyengaged with one another in both the first configuration and the secondconfiguration. In some embodiments the damped gear comprises a gearcoupled to a damper that damps rotational movement of the gear.

In other embodiments, an method can comprise: providing a damper systemcomprising a damped gear having gear teeth for pivotally engraving teethin a rack; and receiving, by damper system, a motion that moves the gearteeth relative to the teeth in the rack, wherein the engagement betweenthe teeth in the rack and the gear teeth is maintained during the motionbased on at least one of a spring for pivoting the damped gear and aretention bracket retaining the rack.

EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are simplified three-dimensional isometric views of astorage system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 1A illustrates storage system 100, which is a storage rack forstoring a plurality of electrical components. Storage rack 100 includesstorage shelves 102 a-102 k. Each of storage shelves 102 a-102 kincludes two drawers for storing a portion of the plurality ofelectrical components (or any other components). FIG. 1B illustratesstorage shelf 102 f, which includes drawers 104 and 110. Drawer 104includes a plurality of electrical storage disks 108 a-h. Each ofelectrical storage disks 108 a-h may be a spinning disk for storingdigital information (e.g., a disk hard drive). The disks (or anyspinning storage media, or rapidly moving and/or oscillating devices)are sensitive to external vibration and rapid acceleration (or rapiddeceleration).

In the example shown in FIG. 1B, drawer 104 is shown withdrawn (i.e., ina fully extended position) from the storage shelf 102 f; drawer 110 isshown inserted (i.e., in a fully inserted position) into the storageshelf 102 f. Each drawer may be moved from the fully extended positionto the fully inserted position or vice versa. The drawers may beslidably moved in a direction perpendicular to the face of the rack(e.g., as shown by arrows on axis 106) during withdrawal from and/orinsertion into the storage shelf. For example, the drawers may slide inand out of a main chassis (within the storage shelf).

Because each of the electrical components (e.g., the electrical storagedisks 108 a-h such as hotplug-able server blades and/or any hotswappable device) includes moving components that are operable while thedrawer is opened or closed), the sliding motion (e.g., along axis 106)of the drawer has the potential to cause physical damage to theelectrical components. In addition, vibrations (e.g., perpendicular toaxis 106) introduced while withdrawing or inserting the drawer may alsocause physical damage to the electrical components (in this case disks).For example, when servicing (e.g., repairing, replacing, etc.) any ofthe disks, the drawer could be opened with extreme force or at a fastrate (i.e., high speed, acceleration, and/or deceleration) and, thereby,cause physical damage to the moving components (and/or components of thedrawer itself). In one example, the physical damage may be due, at leastin part, to inertial forces exerted by rapidly sliding the drawer closedand bringing it to a sudden stop at a point when the drawer is fullyinserted such as “slamming” the drawer shut. While a disk hard drive isused in this example, the systems and methods described herein areequally applicable to any component with moving parts and/or that issensitive to physical movements (e.g., sudden or fast movements) andcould be physically damaged by such a movement (e.g., telescopes,microscopes, laboratory equipment, and the like).

Systems and methods disclosed herein provide damping in a storage systemfor storing moving electrical components. For example, such systems andmethods help to: reduce the likelihood of introducing vibrations and/orrapid movements (e.g., high acceleration, high deceleration, impactloads) to a drawer that is supporting storage devices; reduce thelikelihood of damage to the drawer (e.g., damage to drawer rails forsupporting the electrical components and/or damage to electricalcomponents housed within the storage drawer) during service; and/orimpart a “smooth” motion during extension and retraction of the drawer(e.g., by controlling the rate at which the drawer can be extended andretracted by damping respective motions). In one example, the drawer(s)may slide in and/or out of a main chassis, which includes a rack (e.g.,a rack with teeth) running along one or more sides of the chassis. Thedrawer is coupled to a damper (e.g., via a damped gear on the damper)and a retention bracket. During a movement of the drawer (e.g., whilethe drawer is being pulled out from or pushed into the storage shelf),the damper resists the movement thereby reducing a speed (and/orvelocity) at which the drawer can be moved and reducing the likelihoodof physical damage to the drawer (and/or the components therein orcoupled thereto). In one example, a damped gear provides motionresistance (e.g., via damping) through a motion of the storage drawer(e.g., regardless of whether the drawer is being withdrawn (opened) orinserted (closed)). The motion resistance (e.g., the damping) is toprevent physical damage to at least one of: one or more electricalcomponent stored within the drawer, the rack, or a chassis on which therack is located.

Turning to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are simplifiedthree-dimensional isometric views of an embodiment of a dampingapparatus (or system) according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 2A illustrates one view of the damping apparatus in aconfiguration wherein a drawer to which the damping apparatus isattached is in a fully extended position (i.e., withdrawn). The dampingapparatus (i.e., system 200) includes, among other things, a chassis 206(i.e., 206 a-b), a rack 212, ball bearing slides 210 and 208, a wall214, a plate 216, a damper 218, a spring 222, a bracket 220, andelectrical components 202. In this example, the electrical components202 are a printed circuit assembly. However, other electrical componentsmay be supported in other examples. The chassis 206 includes a verticalportion of the chassis 206 a and a horizontal portion of the chassis 206b. The rack 212 is attached to the vertical portion 206 a of the chassis206 and runs parallel to a long dimension of the vertical portion 206 a.The rack 212 is fixed with respect to vertical portion 206 a. In someexamples, the rack is attached with an attachment mechanism such as oneor more of glue, a rivet, a screw, a nut and bolt assembly, and thelike. The rack 212 includes a plurality of teeth operable to engage withanother toothed member (e.g., a gear on the damper 218). A drawerassembly (e.g., comprising the wall 214, the ball bearing slides 208 and210, the spring 222, the plate 216, and the damper 218) supports theelectrical components. In particular, the wall 214, at least in part,supports the electrical components 202 (and/or other components storedin the drawer) by transferring a portion of the weight of the electricalcomponents to the rack 212 via the damper 218. The wall 214 supportsvertical forces (and/or movement) associated with the drawer assembly.Thus, any vertical movement of the drawer assembly (e.g., due to a userlifting up on or pushing down on the drawer assembly) causes acorresponding movement of the wall 214. In conventional systems, thisvertical movement (or lift) can results in teeth in the damperdisengaging from teeth in the rack. To address this issue (and otherissues) the systems and apparatus disclosed herein provide mechanisms tomaintain (at least partial) engagement between teeth in the damper andthe teeth in the rack.

In addition, the ball bearing slides 208 and 210 may also support theelectrical components. The wall 214 and the ball bearing slides 208 and210 transfer forces (e.g., the weight of supported components, forcescaused by movements and/or vibrations, and the like) to the rack 212 viathe plate 216 and damper 218. The drawer assembly moves relative to thechassis 206. The ball bearing slides 210 and 208 guide horizontalmovement of the drawer assembly (e.g., insertion into and/or withdrawalfrom the chassis). Any horizontal forces introduced to the ball bearingslides 210 and 208 results in the telescoping components of the ballbearing slides to telescope into (or out of) to one another. Because theball bearings are coupled to the wall 214 (and therefore are alsocoupled to the damper 218), horizontal movement of the ball bearings mayalso cause the rotation of the damped gear on damper 218. Thus, thedamper 218 may also (at least in part) damp the horizontal movement ofthe ball bearings.

The chassis 206 supports the electrical components. A wall 214 of thedrawer is coupled to a plate 216. The plate 216 may be made from metal,plastic, or any suitably rigid material. The plate 216 is attached tothe wall 214 by a hinge (e.g., a fastener that couples the plate to thewall and facilitates rotation of the plate relative the wall). The plate216 supports a damper 218. The damper 218 includes a gear; the gearhaving a circular shape. Gear teeth are disposed about the circumferenceof the gear. When the gear receives a motion (and/or force) that rotatesthe gear (e.g., by the gear teeth), the damper 218 provides damping tothe motion by, e.g., resisting the motion to slow the rate at which themotion increases in speed.

In an exemplary operation of the damping apparatus, the gear teeth ofthe damper 218 are used to apply damping to movement of a storagesystem. The damping can prevent physical damage to one or moreelectrical component stored within the storage system (e.g., due to highdeceleration, high acceleration, or impact load). In some embodiments,the one or more electrical component comprises disk storage or aspinning storage media (e.g., server blades). The server blades may bestored in a storage rack comprising shelves, each having multipledrawers of spinning disks for digitally storing data (as often appliedin server systems).

The damper 218 is attached to the plate 216 such that its position isfixed relative to the plate. In the configuration shown in FIG. 2A,spring 222 exerts a force (e.g., due to the spring being compressed) ona flange of the plate 216 causing and, thereby, introduces a torsion tothe plate (about the hinge). Since the damper 218 is fixed with respectto the plate 216, rotation of the plate (by spring 222), causes rotationof the damper (about the axis) thereby engaging (e.g., interleaved) aportion of the teeth of the geared damper with a portion of the teeth inthe rack 212. In this configuration, the portion of the teeth of thegeared damper is fully engaged with the portion of the teeth in the rack212. The rack 212 is fixed. However, the drawer (and/or or wall 214) mayreceive a vertical force (a force that moves the drawer up and/or down)causing the drawer (and/or or wall 214) to lift relative to the rack212. As the drawer (and/or or wall 214) moves down relative to the rack,the spring 222 is further compressed and continues to exert a force onthe plate 216 thereby pivoting the plate and damper upward to maintainengagement between the teeth of 218 and 212. As the drawer (and/or orwall 214) moves up relative to the rack, the spring 222 is elongated(but remains compressed relative to its free, uncompressed length) andcontinues to exert a force on the plate 216 thereby pivoting the plateand damper downward to maintain engagement between the teeth of 218 and212. In addition, the retention bracket 220 prevents disengagement ofthe at least one of the plurality of gear teeth from the at least onetooth on the rack. For example, if a relative movement between the walland the rack approach a point that would otherwise disengage the teeth,the retention bracket 220 retains the rack to maintain engagementbetween the teeth of 218 and 212. In another example, if the relativemovement between the wall and the rack approach a point that wouldotherwise disengage the teeth, the retention bracket 220 retains therack to maintain engagement between the teeth of 218 and 212. Thus, thedrawer (e.g., via the rack) remains engaged with the damper so that thedamper can protect one or more moving (oscillating, spinning, vibrating,etc.) electrical components within the drawer and/or storage system fromphysical damage by damping a motion of the system (e.g., during openingand/or closing of the system).

FIG. 2B illustrates a detail of the view of the damping apparatus in theconfiguration wherein the drawer to which the damping apparatus isattached is in a fully extended position. Plate 216 includes a firstplanar portion 216 a, a second planar portion 216 c, and a medialportion 216 b. The first planar portion 216 a and the second planarportion 216 c are parallel to one another. The plate 216 has a firstsurface 262 and a second surface 264. The first surface 262 and thesecond surface 264 are on opposite sides of the plate. Each of the firstsurface 262 and the second surface 264 are continuous across planarportions 216-c. The first planar portion 216 a is offset from the secondplanar portion 216 c by a distance equal to D1 (e.g., measured betweenthe second surface of each as illustrated in FIG. 2B). In someembodiments, the distance D1 is determined based on the depth of thedamper 218 (e.g., the height of damper body portion 223 measuredperpendicular to the face for 216 c). The medial portion 216 b isdisposed between the first planar portion 216 a and the second planarportion 216 c. In addition, the medial portion 216 b is perpendicular toboth the first planar portion 216 a and the second planar portion216 c.Plate 216 is pivotally attached to the wall 214 (e.g., a first wall) bya fastener assembly. The drawer includes at least two walls: the wall214 and wall 270. The wall 270 (i.e., a second wall) is perpendicular tothe wall 214 (i.e., the first wall). The plate has a pivot point (e.g.,a hole in the plate and/or a center point of the hinge) about which theplate can pivot.

Damper 218 is coupled to the second planar portion 216 c of plate 216.The damper 218 includes a gear 227 (also referred to herein as a “dampedgear”). The term “damped gear” includes a gear for which the rotation ofthe gear about its counterpoint is damped. The damper 218 dampsrotational movements of the gear 227. The gear 227 includes a pluralityof gear teeth 224, which are disposed about the circumference of thegear. The second planar portion 216 c includes three openings forattachment of the damper 218. Damper 218 is mechanically attached toplanar portion 216 c by bolts 228 and 258 and corresponding nuts 234 and260, respectively which engage two of the three openings (not visible inthis view) in the portion 216 c for the damper 218. A body of the damper218 comprises several connected portions (i.e., body portions 223, 225,and 226). Body portion 223 supports body portion 226. Body portion 223and 225 are located on opposite sides of the plate 216. The body portion225 extends through opening 266, which is a third opening of the threeopenings in the portion 216 c. Together, the mechanical fasteners andthe body portion 223 extending through the plate 216 retain the damperin a substantially fixed position with respect to the plate 216. In someembodiments, other suitable attachments for the damper may be utilizedsuch as any of welding, bracing, riveting, gluing, fastening with ascrew, fastening with a nut.

As can be seen in the detail of FIG. 2B, the rack 212 includes aplurality of teeth 230, which extend substantially the full length ofthe rack 212. The retention bracket 220 is attached to the plate (i.e.,at portion 216 c) to prevent disengagement of (e.g., at least one of)the plurality of gear teeth 224 from (e.g., at least one) the tooth 230on the rack 212. The retention bracket 220 comprises vertical portion242 and horizontal portion 238. The vertical portion 242 comprises holes244 and 236 for attaching the retaining bracket to the second planarportion 216 c. The second planar portion 216 c includes holes 272 and274 (e.g., for coupling fasteners), which correspond to holes 244 and236, respectively. As described with respect to geared damper 218, theretaining bracket may be attached to plate 216 using any suitableattachment mechanism. In addition, the retention bracket 220 includes anarcuated surface 240 for maintain a clearance distance between the body225 of geared damper 218 and the retention bracket 220. The horizontalportion 238 of retention bracket 220 includes a top surface 232 and abottom surface (not visible in this view). In operation, top surface 232contacts a bottom portion of rack 212 and, thereby, preventsdisengagement of the gear teeth 224 from the teeth 230 on the rack.

The spring 222 facilitates pivoting the plate 216 about a pivot point(e.g., the hinge) to engage at least one of the gear teeth 224 with atleast one tooth of the teeth 230 on the rack 212. In this example, thepivot point is a centerline axis of a fastener assembly 282. The medialportion supports a flange 254. The flange 254 is coplanar with themedial portion 216 b. The flange 254, at least in part, supports thespring 222. The spring 222 is compressed between a face of the flange254 and a retaining clip 248. The retaining clip 248 is supported, atleast in part, by a pin 246. In particular the retaining clip 248 issupported at an end 294, which is distal the wall 270 and/or the flange254. At least one side of the retaining clip 248 is a surface thatretains spring in place (e.g., a retaining surface that is distal theface of the flange 254 c). Because the pin 246 is in a fixed positionrelative to the wall 270, any force exerted by the spring 222 (due tothe spring being compressed) on both the pin and flange 254 causesrotation of the plate 216 about the pivot point (which causescompression or extension of the spring). Movement of the flange (i.e.,caused by lifting the drawer and/or axial compress), results in a moment(e.g., torsion) being generated in the plate 216 about the hinge. Sincethe hinge is designed to not resist moment forces (or to provide verylittle moment resistance), the plate rotates about the hinge. Becausethe axis about which the plate rotates is perpendicular to the axis inwhich the spring applies a force, the spring (e.g., a linear spring)advantageously causes rotation about the hinge to maintain contactbetween the gear teeth 224 and the teeth 230 on the rack 212. A gap 256is located between the flange 254 and the wall 270. For example, ifmedial portion 216 b were flush with (and/or in direct contact with)wall 270, the plate 216 would not be able to pivot about the hinge. Thegap provides space needed for the plate to rotate and allows the plateto rotate without contacting the wall 270 (which would otherwise preventthe rotational movement needed for pivoting the pin). In addition, thegap provides a space for a head 252 of pin 246. The gap is large enoughto provide a clearance distance between the head 252 and the flange 254.

Using the combination of the spring 222 and the retention bracket 220,the plate can be positioned in at least a first configuration and asecond configuration. In the first configuration (e.g., as shown inFIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, 4A, 4C), the at least one of the plurality of gearteeth 224 are fully engaged with the at least one tooth (of the teeth230) on rack based on the spring 222 pivoting the plate (e.g., forcingthe plate to pivot about the hinge). In the second configuration (e.g.,as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B), the at least one of the plurality of gearteeth 224 are partially engaged with the at least one tooth 230 on therack based on the retention bracket 238 contacting a surface of the rack212.

FIG. 2C illustrates a detail of an alternate view of the dampingapparatus in the configuration wherein the drawer to which the dampingapparatus is attached is in a fully extended position. Opening 276 inplate 216 coincides with an opening 278 in wall 214). A hinge for theplate 216 can extend through both opening 276 and 278. Axis 275 iscentered within the opening 276 and is the axis about which the plate216 rotates. Because axis 275 is perpendicular to the axis in which thespring applies a force (i.e., an axis along the shaft of pin 246), thespring 222 (e.g., a linear spring) advantageously causes rotation of theplate 216 about the axis 274 to maintain contact between the gear teeth224 (on the damped gear 227) the teeth 230 (on the rack 212).

In the example of FIG. 2C, the plate 216 includes a mechanism forlimiting a range of rotation of the plate 216. In this example, themechanism is an arcuated opening 280 in first planar portion 216a. Theopening 280 receives a bearing member such as a bolt or pin to limit thepivotal motion of the plate 216. When secured to the wall 214 andextended through the opening 280, the bearing member will contact aboundary of the opening 280 at one or more limit of a range of pivotalmotion thereby preventing pivoting beyond the one or more limit. Theactuated opening 280 may be present in some examples but is excludedfrom other examples.

Turning to FIGS. 2D and 2E, FIGS. 2D and 2E are simplifiedtwo-dimensional side views of the pin 246 utilized in the embodiment ofthe damping apparatus of FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C. In the example of FIGS.2A, 2B and 2C, the pin 246 is coupled to wall 270 (i.e., the secondwall) of the drawer and supports the spring 222 using the retaining clip248. The pin 246 comprises a first portion 246 a and a second portion246 b. FIG. 2D illustrates pin 246 in a configuration where the firstportion 246 a and the second portion 246 b are not attached to oneanother. The first portion 246 a comprises a head 250 and a shaft 284.The shaft 284 includes a threaded portion 286. The first portion 246 amay be attached to a threaded hole by the threaded portion 286 (e.g., byscrewing first portion into the threaded hole). The second portion 246 bcomprises a head 252, a shaft 288, a threaded hole 290, an end 294, anda groove 292. The head 252 is located at a first end of the shaft 288.End 294 corresponds to a second end of the shaft 288. The shaft 288 iscylindrical in shape. The groove 292 is recessed into the shaft andspans the entire circumference of the shaft. The groove 292 is forsupporting the retaining clip 248 (e.g., the surfaces of the groove canretain the clip in place). The end 294 has a tapered shape. The taperedshape, among other things, facilitates placement of the retaining clipinto the groove. In one example, the retaining clip is a partial disk(e.g., an e-clip) with a hole at the center of the disk. The hole in theretaining clip may be of a diameter that matches the diameter of thegroove. In such an example, the tapered shape may facilitate graduallydefecting (e.g., flexing the retaining clip to spread the arms of theretaining clip to fit around the end 294) to allow the retaining clip tobe moved into the groove 292. When the retaining clip reaches thegroove, the disk may unflex (or snap) and, thereby, come to rest in thegroove 292 in an undeflected shape.

In operation, the first portion 246 a and the second portion 246 b arelocated on opposite sides of wall 270. The threaded hole 290 in thesecond portion 246 b is aligned with a hole in wall 270. The threadedportion 286 is inserted through the hole in wall 270 and is screwed intothe threaded hole 290 and, thereby, attaches the first portion 246 a andthe second portion 246 b to one another about the wall 270. FIG. 2Eillustrates pin 246 in a configuration where the first portion 246 a andthe second portion 246 b are attached to one another. The pin includes afirst end attached to the wall 270 of the drawer, a second end distalthe first end, and a shaft disposed between the first end and the secondend. The shaft extends through both an opening in the flange 254 and anopening in wall 270.

Turning to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram of a method ofutilizing a damping apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The method begins at a start point 302 and advances toprocedure 304. At 304, a damping apparatus comprising a damped gearhaving gear teeth for pivotally engraving teeth in a rack is provided.The damping apparatus may be an apparatus or system according to thepresent disclosure (e.g., as described with respect to any one or moreof the FIGS. 1A-1B, 2A-2E, 4A-4B, 5A-5B). The damped gear may be a gearhaving a plurality of gear teeth. As the gear is rotated about itscenter point, the rotation is damped. In one example, the damped gear issupported by a support structure, which pivots the gear into a positionwhere the gear teeth can engage with the teeth in the rack. The rack maybe a rectangular tubular element having a plurality of teeth disposedalong the length of a surface. The rack may be coupled to a motionsystem such as a sliding door, drawer, rolling system, etc. that iscoupled to a storage system for electrical components. At procedure 306,the damper system receives a motion that moves the gear teeth relativeto the teeth in the rack, wherein the engagement between the teeth inthe rack and the gear teeth is maintained during the motion based on atleast one of: a spring for pivoting the damped gear, and/or a retentionbracket retaining the rack. In one example, the motion can include thedamper (and/or damped gear) sliding with respect to the rack (e.g., therack is fixed and a drawer to which the damper gear is attached slidesalong the rack). The spring may apply a force (directly or indirectly)to the damped gear to facilitate the gear teeth interlocking (engaging)with the teeth in the rack. When the damper slides, the teeth in therack engage with the gear teeth in the damped gear to rotate the dampedgear about a center point of the gear and, thereby, damping the slidingmotion. In another example, the motion can include the geared dampermoving down (or up) with respect to rack. When the geared damper movesup (e.g., moving in a motion to attempt to lift the gear teeth away fromthe teeth in the rack), the retention bracket can make contact with therack thereby preventing the gear teeth to from disengaging the teeth inthe rack (and thus ensuring that the damping is not lost due to the gearteeth skipping over the teeth in the rack). The system can be subject toharsh or rapid movement (motion), which could have a negative impact onor damage the electrical components. In one example, components of acomputing system are slidable with respect to one another. In thisexample, the components may be mounted on a rack with teeth that areengaged with teeth on corresponding damper systems. In such an example,any harsh or rapid sliding of one of the components could potentiallycause damage to the other components in the computing system.Advantageously, this method maintains, at least partially, engagementbetween the gear teeth and the teeth in the rack regardless of relativeposition, angular orientation, slidable position (e.g., drawer opened orclosed), by utilizes (1) the spring to force to the gear teeth and theteeth in the rack to interlock with one another, and/or (2) theretention bracket to limit and/or prevent relative displacement betweenthe gear teeth and the teeth in the rack.

Turning to FIGS. 4A and 4B, FIGS. 4A and 4B are simplifiedthree-dimensional isometric views of an example configuration thedamping apparatus. Both FIGS. 4A and 4B show the plate 216 in aconfiguration (a first configuration) where at least one of theplurality of gear teeth 224 are fully engaged with the at least onetooth (of the teeth 230) on rack based on the spring 222 pivoting theplate (e.g., forcing the plate to pivot about the hinge). Turning now toFIG. 4A, FIG. 4A illustrates a view of the damping apparatus as viewedperpendicular to the first surface 262 of plate 216. In this example,spring 222 is compressed with respect to its free length. The freelength, L0, of spring 222 is the length of the spring when it is notsubject to any axial force (i.e. compression or tension). In FIG. 4A,the spring 222 is compressed to a length, L1, by the flange 254 andretaining clip 248. The compressed length, L1, is less than the freelength, L0. Moreover, when disposed between flange 254 and retainingclip 248, the spring 222 remains compressed at all times. As the lengthof the spring changes (e.g., based on the plate 216 rotating), thespring may be more or less compressed but remains compressed withrespect to the free length. In this example, the spring is applying aforce as shown by the arrow in FIG. 4A. The spring 222 pushes againstthe retaining clip 248 and the flange 254 with equal force. The forceapplied to the retaining clip is transferred to the pin 246 at pin end294. The pin 246 comprises components as described to with respect toFIGS. 2D and 2E. Pin portion 246a comprises a head 252, a second end294, and a shaft 288. The shaft 288 is disposed between the head 252 andend 294. The spring 222 is disposed about the shaft 288 and exerts aspring force in an axis that lies along shaft 288 (e.g., the axiscoincides with a centerline center of the shaft). The screw 246a couplesto the head 252 to retain the pin 246 in a fixed position relative tothe wall 270. When the pin is attached to the wall 270, the head 252 islocated within the gap 256. Because the pin 246 is fixed with respect towall 270, rotation of the plate 216 results in the flange 254 moving(due to the spring 222 applying a load on the flange) while the pin isstationary. In other words, the rotation of plate 216 and/or movement ofthe spring 222 does not substantially move the pin 246 and only movesthe flange 254.

The entire plate 216 rotates about the hinge due to the spring 222applying a force to flange 254. In this case the torsion caused by thespring results in a slight pivoting in a direction from A to A′ abouthole 278 in wall 214. Correspondingly, the spring causes the geareddamper to pivot in a direction from B to B′ about axis 275 therebyapplying a downward force, which forces the gear teeth 224 of the damper218 to move down into (e.g., in a interlocked or interleaved engagementwith) the teeth 230 of the rack. The pivoting motion forces the teeth224 of the gear 227 to interlock with the teeth 230 in rack 212.

In this case, the rack 212 is remains substantially horizontal (evenunder loading by spring 222) and is not rotated with respect to the walland/or the plate. Because the teeth 224 and the teeth 230 are fullyengaged with one another (e.g., interleaved with one another up to amaximum depth equal to the shorter of the teeth) the top surface 232 ofretention bracket 220 is not in contact with the rack 212.

The teeth 224 remain at least partially engaged with the gear teeth 230throughout a range of motion. For example, the plate 216 may pivot withrespect to the rack 212. When the plate pivots, the spring remains incompression and, thereby, applies a torsional force to the plate thatmaintains at least partially engagement between the teeth 224 and theteeth 230. Thus, the spring 222 can pivot the plate about the pivotpoint (e.g., the hinge), from a first configuration at a first angularposition relative the wall to a different angular position relative thewall in a second configuration. The spring facilitates the at least oneof the plurality of gear teeth 224 and at least one tooth of the teeth230 on a rack 212 being fully engaged with one another in both the firstconfiguration and the second configuration. This may correspond to smallmovements in a drawer such as, e.g. a minor bouncing up (the firstangular position) and down (the second angular position) while thedrawer is opened or closed. At a third configuration, e.g., where theplate moves beyond an allowable range of motion for the plate, the atleast one of the plurality of gear teeth remain partially engaged withthe at least one tooth on the rack based on the retention bracket 220contacting a surface of the rack 212. This may correspond to largemovements in the drawer such as, e.g., a large vertical movement upwhile the drawer is opened or closed. Thus, teeth 224 and teeth 230 arealways, at least partially, engaged with one another regardless of therelative position, angular orientation, slidable position (e.g., draweropened or closed), etc.

Turning now to FIG. 4B, FIG. 4B illustrates an alternate view of thedamping apparatus as viewed perpendicular to the second surface 264 ofplate 216. The opening 276 in plate 216 is the point about which plate216 rotates. Again, the gear teeth 224 on damper 227 are fully engagedwith teeth 230 in racks 212. In this view, holes 272 and 274 are visibleon surface 264. Holes 272 and 274 can receive a mechanical attachment(e.g., a bolt, screw, pin, tie, etc.) with which to couple the retentionbracket 220 to plate 216. The body portion 226 of the damper 218 isfastened to the face 264 of plate 216 by fasteners 228 and 258.

The placement of the retention bracket 220 (on plate 216) relative tothe rack 212 may be based on the length of the teeth of in each of thedamper gear and the rack. In this example, the teeth 224 on the gearhave a length, D3. The teeth 230 on the rack 212 have a length, D2. Inthis example, D2 and D3 are substantially equal in length. In someembodiments, D2 and D3 are not substantially equal (e.g., one may belonger or shorter than the other). In addition, the bottom surface ofrack 212 is separated from top surface 232 of retention bracket 220 by adistance D4. To maintain the engagement of the teeth 224 and the teeth230, the distance D4 is less than the smaller of D2 and D3. When D4 isless than the smaller of D2 and D3 (or less than both D2 and D3),relative movement of the teeth 224 and the teeth 230 will not(completely) disengaged the teeth 224 and the teeth 230 from oneanother. Instead, when D4 is less than the smaller of D2 and D3, themovement of rack 212 or movement of plate 216 up by a distance equal toD4 (as limited by the retaining bracket) results in the teeth being onlypartially engaged with one other (but are still engaged).

Turning to FIGS. 5A and 5B, FIGS. 5A and 5B are simplifiedtwo-dimensional isometric views of another example configuration thedamping apparatus. In the configuration as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B (asecond configuration), the at least one of the plurality of gear teeth224 are partially engaged with the at least one tooth of teeth 230 onthe rack 212 based on the retention bracket 238 contacting a surface ofthe rack 212. In addition, the rack is shown in a configuration wherethe drawer (e.g., via the chassis) is fully inserted into a storagesystem. Turning now to FIG. 5A, FIG. 5A illustrates a view of thedamping apparatus as viewed perpendicular to the first surface 262 ofplate 216. In transition from the configuration of FIGS. 4A-4B (a firstconfiguration) to the configuration of FIGS. 5A-5B (a secondconfiguration), the rotation of the plate 216 causes the spring 222 toshorten from length L1 to length L2. In the example illustrated in FIGS.5A and 5B, the plate 216 has rotated (i.e., about opening 278) in adirection from C to C′ by an angle θ (theta) with respect to ahorizontal surface of wall 214 thereby causing the relative displacementbetween gear teeth 224 and teeth 230. As the plate rotates, it causesthe damper 218 to rotate in a direction from E to E′. Because the platehas been rotated, the spring 222 is further compressed to a length L2,which is less than length L1 (i.e., the spring is more compressed (isshorter) than the state shown in FIG. 4A and 4B). As mentioned above,the pin 246 is fixed with respect to wall 270 (e.g., by screw 426 a andhead 252). Thus, any additional compression in the spring results in alarger compression force being applied to hold the teeth 230 and gearteeth 224 in contact with one another. In this example, the teeth 230and the gear teeth 224 are separated by a relative distance, D4, suchthat a bottom surface of rack 212 is in contact with a top surface 232of retention bracket 220. The relative movement between the teeth 230the gear teeth 224 (in this case, by a distance D4) does not causedisengagement of the teeth from one another. Instead, the teeth (i.e.,teeth 230 and gear teeth 224) are partially engaged with one another(i.e., less than fully engaged) and remain in contact with one another.Because the teeth remain at least partially engaged with one another,the drawer to can be opened and/or closed while providing (ormaintaining) damping to maintain safe operating speed of a drawercoupled to the system (e.g., an acceptable rate ofacceleration/deceleration for the electrical content housed within thedrawer).

In terms of the dimensions of the articles discussed herein any suitablespecifications (e.g., length, width, depth (or height), opening space,etc.) may be used and can be based on particular end user needs, orspecific elements to be addressed by the apparatus (or the system inwhich it resides). It is imperative to note that all of thespecifications and relationships outlined herein (e.g., height, width,length, diameter, # of arms, etc.) have only been offered for purposesof example and teaching only. Each of these data may be variedconsiderably without departing from the spirit of the presentdisclosure, or the scope of the appended claims. The specificationsapply only to one non-limiting example and, accordingly, should beconstrued as such. Along similar lines, the materials used inconstructing the articles can be varied considerably, while remainingwithin the scope of the present disclosure. Various ferrous/alloymaterials may be used, magnetic materials may be used, and polymers(e.g., heat resistant material) may be used in certain configurations ofthe present disclosure. Still other configurations may include certainintegrations of these materials, which may be based on particularworking needs.

In the above examples, a damping apparatus supports electrical devices(e.g., electrical components 202, electrical storage disks 108 a-h,electrical storage disk and the server). It is noted that presentdisclosure is not limited to such examples. The damping apparatus,systems, and methods disclosed herein are applicable to any suitablecomponent with moving parts that could potentially be damaged by motionssuch as movement, acceleration, deceleration, vibration, etc. (e.g.,when such motions are rapid). For example, instead of (or in additionto) the electrical devices, the other components may include a purelymechanical device, a microscope, laboratory equipment, and the like.

Note that in this Specification, references to various features (e.g.,elements, structures, modules, components, steps, operations,characteristics, procedures, etc.) included in ‘one embodiment”,“example embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “another embodiment”, “someembodiments”, “various embodiments”, “other embodiments”, “alternativeembodiment”, and the like are intended to mean that any such featuresare included in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, butmay or may not necessarily be combined in the same embodiments.

Moreover, the elements described herein may be made of any suitablematerials, including metal (e.g., stainless steel, copper, silver,platinum, brass, aluminum, etc.), plastic, wood, etc. or any suitablecombination thereof. Each element may also be made of a combination ofdifferent materials (e.g., geared damper may have a metal body 233 and aplastic gear with gear teeth 224). Any suitable material or combinationof materials may be used for the elements described herein withoutdeparting from the broad scope of the present disclosure.

Additionally, it should be noted that with the examples provided above,interaction may be described in terms of two, three, or four components.However, this has been done for purposes of clarity and example only. Incertain cases, it may be easier to describe one or more of thefunctionalities of a given set of flows by only referencing a limitednumber of components (e.g., damped gear, rack, plate, spring, retainingbracket, spinning storage media). It should be appreciated that thesystems described herein are readily scalable and, further, canaccommodate a large number of components, as well as morecomplicated/sophisticated arrangements and configurations. Accordingly,the examples provided should not limit the scope or inhibit the broadtechniques of using flexural elements for providing a seamless (e.g.,unbroken) electrical signal between electrical components, aspotentially applied to a myriad of other architectures.

It is also important to note that the procedures in the methodsdescribed herein illustrate only some of the possible scenarios that maybe executed by, or within, an apparatus (e.g., a damping apparatusand/or system for providing motion damping) described herein. Some ofthese procedures may be deleted or removed where appropriate, or theseprocedures may be modified or changed considerably without departingfrom the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, a number of theseoperations have been described as being executed concurrently with, orin parallel to, one or more additional operations. However, the timingof these operations may be altered considerably. The precedingoperational flows have been offered for purposes of example anddiscussion. The apparatus provides substantial flexibility in that anysuitable arrangements, chronologies, configurations, and timingmechanisms may be provided without departing from the teachings of thepresent disclosure.

It should also be noted that many of the previous discussions may implya single apparatus (e.g., damped gear, rack, plate, spring, retainingbracket, etc.). In reality, there is a multitude of apparatuses (and amultiple of damped gears and corresponding rack) in certainimplementations of the present disclosure.

Numerous other changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, andmodifications may be ascertained to one skilled in the art and it isintended that the present disclosure encompass all such changes,substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications as fallingwithin the scope of the appended claims. In order to assist the UnitedStates Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and, additionally, anyreaders of any patent issued on this application in interpreting theclaims appended hereto, Applicant wishes to note that the Applicant: (a)does not intend any of the appended claims to invoke paragraph six (6)of 35 U.S.C. section 112 as it exists on the date of the filing hereofunless the words “means for” or “step for” are specifically used in theparticular claims; and (b) does not intend, by any statement in thespecification, to limit this disclosure in any way that is not otherwisereflected in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a plate to pivotallyattach to a first wall of a drawer, the plate comprising a pivot pointabout which the plate can pivot; a damped gear coupled to the plate, thedamped gear having a plurality of gear teeth; and a spring coupled tothe plate to facilitate pivoting the plate about the pivot point toengage at least one of the plurality of gear teeth with at least onetooth on a rack.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plate furthercomprises: a flange to support the spring, wherein the spring iscompressed between a face of the flange and a retaining surface distalthe face of the flange.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:a pin coupled to a second wall of the drawer, the pin comprising: afirst end attached to the second wall of the drawer, a second end distalthe first end and supporting the retaining surface, and a shaft disposedbetween the first end and the second end, the shaft extending through anopening in the flange; and wherein the second wall is perpendicular tothe first wall.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plate furthercomprises: a first planar portion in which the pivot point is located, asecond planar portion for coupling to the damped gear, and a medialportion for supported the flange, the medial portion being disposedbetween the first planar portion and the second planar portion.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 4, wherein the first planar portion and the secondplanar portion are parallel to and offset from one another, and themedial portion is perpendicular to both the first planar portion and thesecond planar portion.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:a retention bracket attached to the plate to prevent disengagement ofthe at least one of the plurality of gear teeth from the at least onetooth on the rack.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the plate can bepositioned in at least a first configuration and a second configuration,wherein: in the first configuration, the at least one of the pluralityof gear teeth are fully engaged with the at least one tooth on a rackbased on the spring pivoting the plate, in the second configuration, theat least one of the plurality of gear teeth are partially engaged withthe at least one tooth on a rack based on the retention bracketcontacting a surface of the rack.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6, whereinthe retention bracket is attached in a fixed position relative to theplate, the fixed position is to limit a vertical displacement of thebottom surface of the rack relative to a face of the retention bracketto be less than a particular distance.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8,wherein the particular distance is selected from the group consistingof: a first length of the at least one of the plurality of gear teethand a second length of the at least one tooth on the rack.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the damped gear is to damp movement of therack.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the damping the movement isto prevent physical damage to at least one of: one or more electricalcomponent stored within the drawer, the rack, or a chassis on which therack is located.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the one or moreelectrical component comprises disk storage or a spinning storage media.13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spring is to facilitate thepivoting to engage the at least one of the plurality of gear teeth withthe at least one tooth on a rack during both withdrawal and insertion ofthe drawer.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the damped gear dampssliding the rack in a first direction during of the drawer, and whereinthe damped gear damps sliding the rack in a second direction duringinsertion of the drawer.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plateis attached to the first wall with a hinge.
 16. An apparatus comprising:a plate to pivotally attach to a first wall of a drawer, the platecomprising a pivot point about which the plate can pivot; a damped gearcoupled to the plate, the damped gear having a plurality of gear teeth;and a spring coupled to the plate, wherein the spring is to pivot theplate, about the pivot point, from a first configuration to an angularposition relative the wall in a second configuration, and wherein atleast one of the plurality of gear teeth and at least one tooth on arack are fully engaged with one another in both the first configurationand the second configuration.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein theplate further comprises: a flange to support the spring, wherein thespring is compressed between a face of the flange and a retainingsurface distal the face of the flange.
 18. The apparatus of claim 16,further comprising: a retention bracket attached to the plate to preventdisengagement of the at least one of the plurality of gear teeth fromthe at least one tooth on the rack.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18,wherein the plate can be positioned in third configuration, wherein inthe third configuration, the at least one of the plurality of gear teethare partially engaged with the at least one tooth on a rack based on theretaining bracket contacting a surface of the rack.
 20. The apparatus ofclaim 16, wherein the damped gear is to damp movement of the rack forpreventing physical damage to at least one of: one or more electricalcomponent stored within the drawer, the rack, or a chassis on which therack is located.